Mysuru: Winged beauties and better facilities, both have contributed in a big way to the influx of tourists to the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary near Mysuru.
When compared to last year, the number of tourists coming to the bird sanctuary has increased and the revenue too has gone up.
Last year, (April 2017 to March 31, 2018), the revenue was Rs 3.73 crore while this year, (April 2018 to March 31, 2019) the revenue has gone up to Rs 4.07 crore. When compared to last year, the number of birds visiting the sanctuary has also gone up.
Speaking to newskarnataka.com Ananya Kumar, Range Forest Officer, Mysuru Wildlife Range said that last year, there were nearly 800 pelicans, but this year (2018-2019) more than 1,000 pelicans were seen. Last year, there were nearly 1,000 painted stock birds but this year, there were more than 1,200. This year the bird sanctuary also attracted the Glossy Ibis bird.
A theme park, increased the number of boats and various other facilities too have boosted the inflow of tourists. “Among the tourists who visit bird sanctuary, 30 to 40 percent are from Karnataka, 20 to 30 percent of them come from Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the rest from North India and foreigners, especially from European countries and America. The fee for both entry and boating is Rs 70 for Indians and it is Rs 400 for foreigners” said Ananya Kumar who is going all out in his effort to make sanctuary more attractive and tourist-friendly.
“We will be coming out with Integrated bird centre, which will have conference hall. Apart from this, the four-acre garden acquired from farmers in 2012 will be developed. In a couple of months a 200 mtr pathway, maze garden, theme garden and Tree Park will also be developed” added Ananya Kumar.
